Chloe Zhang
Cookie cutters come in a variety of materials, including plastic, aluminium, and stainless steel. While there is no single best material, plastic cookie cutters are a popular choice due to their ease of use and ability to create intricate designs. However, one common issue with plastic cookie cutters is that the dough tends to stick to the cutter, resulting in damaged cookies and frustration. To address this issue, several techniques can be employed, including chilling the dough before cutting, using non-stick cooking spray, and dipping the cutter in flour before pressing it into the dough. Additionally, proper cleaning and maintenance of plastic cookie cutters are crucial to prevent rust and ensure their longevity.
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What You'll Learn
Use non-stick cooking spray on the cutter
Greasing your plastic cookie cutters is a great way to ensure your cookie dough doesn't stick to the cutter. While some people suggest greasing the dough itself, this can be frustrating and time-consuming. A non-stick cooking spray is a great alternative. Firstly, prepare your cookie dough and roll it out. The dough should be slightly chilled, but not too cold, as this can cause the cutouts to stick inside the cutter. Next, take your non-stick cooking spray and apply a light coating to the inside of the cookie cutter. Be sure not to spray too much, as this can cause a mess. Now, you can cut out your cookies. If your dough does stick, you can try again with a little more grease.
It is important to note that some sources suggest against using cooking spray or oil to grease your cookie cutters. Instead, they recommend using a small ball of cookie dough to grease the cutter, before dipping it in flour and tapping off the excess. This method may be more suitable for certain types of cookie cutters, so it is worth experimenting to find the best method for your specific cutters.
Additionally, the type of dough you use can impact how well your cookies release from the cutter. A sturdy dough that holds its shape is ideal, as wet or fragile doughs can be more challenging to work with. If you are using a dough that tends to spread, stick to simpler shapes. You can also try altering the recipe by substituting some granulated sugar for confectioner's sugar or increasing the flour content to create a dough that is better suited for cutouts.
By following these tips and experimenting with different methods, you can find the best way to grease your plastic cookie cutters and create perfectly shaped cookies.
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Chill the dough before cutting
Chilling the dough before cutting is an important step in the cookie-making process. Firstly, after mixing your cookie dough, it is recommended to chill the dough for about 15 minutes. This can be done by pressing the dough into two equal-size disks, wrapping them in plastic wrap, and placing them in the refrigerator. Chilling the dough in disk shapes allows for more even cooling and less handling of the dough, which minimises the warmth transferred to the dough.
Once the dough has been chilled, it can be rolled out. This can be done on a floured or non-floured surface, but it is important to use as little flour as possible to avoid toughening the dough and affecting the texture of the cookies. Instead of flour, you can use confectioner's sugar, which will not alter the dough's texture. When rolling out the dough, use short, light-pressure sweeps from the centre to the edge to achieve an even thickness and prevent overworking the dough.
After rolling, the dough should be chilled again before cutting. This will make the dough easier to cut, especially when using intricate cookie cutters, and will help prevent the cookies from spreading in the oven. The chilled dough can then be cut into shapes using cookie cutters. To prevent sticking, dust the cookie cutters with flour or dip the edges in confectioner's sugar before firmly pressing them straight down into the dough and lifting them back up without twisting or sliding.
If the dough is still chilled and firm, the cut-out cookies can be lifted by hand and placed on a baking sheet. However, if the dough has softened, use a thin, flexible spatula to gently lift the cookies to avoid distorting their shapes.
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Dust the cutter with flour
Greasing plastic cookie cutters is a simple process. Homemade plastic cookie cutters can be made from plastic bottles, typically from soda or water bottles. These can be used to cut cookies, bread for tea sandwiches, and even to shape salads or desserts. However, it is important to note that these homemade cutters are disposable and typically hand-wash only. To make a simple round cutter, cut a straight line across the bottle, just above the bottom ridges, using a knife and scissors.
Now, to prevent your cookie dough from sticking to the plastic cookie cutters, dust the cutter with flour before use. This is an important step to ensure your cookies retain their desired shape. Firstly, prepare your cookie dough and refrigerate it for at least an hour. Chilling the dough will make it easier to handle and less likely to stick to the cutter.
Once the dough is chilled, it's time to roll it out. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Aim for an even thickness throughout the dough, following your recipe's instructions. For most recipes, a dough thickness of 1/4-inch is recommended. However, you can use a ruler or a measured rolling pin to achieve your desired thickness.
Now, it's finally time to cut out your cookie shapes. Before pressing the cutter into the dough, dust it with a light coating of flour. This will create a barrier between the dough and the cutter, preventing the dough from sticking and helping to create clean, precise edges. Gently press the floured cutter into the dough and then remove any excess dough from the edges. Your cookies are now ready to be baked!
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Clean cutters with hot soapy water
To clean plastic cookie cutters with hot soapy water, start by filling a shallow tray, sink, or bowl with hot water and adding some soap or detergent. You can use a mild dishwashing liquid or soap that you would normally use for washing up.
Next, place the cookie cutters in the prepared water. If there is stubborn residue or dried dough stuck to the cutters, you may need to let them soak for a few minutes to loosen it. After soaking, use a soft brush, such as a toothbrush or nail brush, to gently scrub away any remaining residue. Pay extra attention to tight spots and crevices, using a toothpick or similar tool to dislodge any stubborn bits of dough.
Once the cutters are free of residue, thoroughly rinse them with clean water to remove any soap residue. It is important to dry the cutters immediately after rinsing to prevent water spots and streaking. Use a clean towel or paper towel to dry the cutters, ensuring they are completely dry before storing them away.
If desired, you can use a small amount of steel wool to polish the cutters after they are dry, which will help remove any fingerprints or water spots and give them a shiny finish.
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Dry cutters with a hairdryer
Greasing plastic cookie cutters is a great way to ensure your cookies come out of the cutter smoothly and easily. While there are many ways to do this, one method is to dry the cutters with a hairdryer.
Firstly, it is important to ensure your cookie cutters are completely clean and dry before greasing them. Wash them with warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. Once they are completely dry, you can begin the greasing process.
To dry your cookie cutters with a hairdryer, set the hairdryer to a low setting and hold it at a slight distance from the cutters. You don't want to hold it too close or the plastic may begin to deform. Gently blow the warm air from the hairdryer over the cutters, ensuring you dry all the nooks and crannies. It is important that the cutters are bone dry before you apply any grease or oil, as moisture can affect the performance of the grease and cause rusting over time.
Using a hairdryer is a quick and efficient way to dry your cookie cutters, and it ensures that all moisture is removed before greasing. It is a useful method if you are in a hurry or need to dry several cutters at once.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent cookie dough from sticking to your plastic cookie cutters, you can dust your cookie cutters with flour before pressing them into the dough. You can also try chilling your dough before cutting, or chilling it after cutting and before baking.
To clean your plastic cookie cutters, start by dunking them in a bowl of hot soapy water. Wipe them with a sponge, rinse until the water is clean, and then dry them immediately. Do not put them in the dishwasher.
To store your plastic cookie cutters, you can use plastic shoe storage boxes. This will protect them from moisture in the air, which can cause rust. You can also throw a silica gel pack into the box to absorb any moisture.
